NEW YORK — A Democratic state lawmaker was arrested along with five other politicians Tuesday in an alleged plot to pay tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to GOP bosses to let him run for mayor of New York City as a Republican.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara called it an “unappetizing smorgasbord of graft and greed” that reveals a New York political culture defined by a single rule: “Show me the money.”

Malcolm Smith, 56, who has served at times as the state Senate’s majority and minority leader since becoming a senator in March 2000, was arrested along with Republican New York City Councilman Dan Halloran, 42, and four other political figures.

Smith “tried to bribe his way to a shot at Gracie Mansion,” Bharara said, referring to the official mayor’s residence.

“Smith drew up the game plan, and Councilman Halloran essentially quarterbacked that drive by finding party chairmen who were wide open to receiving bribes.”

A criminal complaint said that in meetings with a cooperating witness and an undercover FBI agent posing as a wealthy real estate developer, Smith agreed to bribe up to five leaders of Republican Party county committees in the five boroughs of New York City so he could get permission to run for mayor as a Republican and still remain a registered Democrat.

Smith said in a statement that he’ll be vindicated. His lawyer, Gerald L. Shargel, said his client denies wrongdoing.

Halloran’s attorney, Dennis Ring, said: “The councilman denies all allegations and looks forward to clearing his name and returning to court.”

Running as a Republican in the New York City mayoral race is an attractive path for candidates because it is easier to get on the GOP primary ballot in a city crowded with Democratic politicians. The tactic was popularized by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who switched from the Democratic to Republican parties shortly before his first successful run for mayor in 2001. At least three current candidates for mayor switched their party affiliation to get on the GOP ballot.

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